Political Philosophy and United States
1.1 Trace the origins of American government
What is a democracy?
How does a democracy differ from other forms of government in both practical and theoretical terms?
What requirements must be met for a government to be called a democracy?
Which of the democratic ideals do you foresee as not being achieved in Iraq, and why? Will Iraq still be considered a democracy without this ideal? From the other forms of government mentioned in this chapter, argue for a better form of government for Iraq than a democracy.
1.2 Show how European political thought provided the theoretical foundations of American government
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Can socialism coexist with democracy? Is extensive economic freedom essential to democracy? Can the unequal economic outcomes of capitalism be considered “undemocratic”?
In his 1651 Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes observed that without government, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Justify his argument. With this justification, justify the existence of government as it presently operates in the United States today.
What demographic and socioeconomic factors do you think are related to democracy? Wealth? Education? A homogeneous population? Can you find countries that don’t meet your expectations?
Does democracy require equality of income and wealth? Does majority rule undermine freedom and threaten individual rights? What was James Madison's view, and what is your reaction?
1.3 Describe American political culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy
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Discuss the theories of elitism and pluralism as explanations of how American government works.
Harold Lasswell’s book, Politics: Who Gets What, When, and How, can be seen as associated with the often-made statement “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” How do the two different statements relate to each other, as well as to present-day political realities?
Americans often possess a healthy cynicism of government,
What is a democracy?
How does a democracy differ from other forms of government in both practical and theoretical terms?
What requirements must be met for a government to be called a democracy?
Which of the democratic ideals do you foresee as not being achieved in Iraq, and why? Will Iraq still be considered a democracy without this ideal? From the other forms of government mentioned in this chapter, argue for a better form of government for Iraq than a democracy.
1.2 Show how European political thought provided the theoretical foundations of American government
1
Can socialism coexist with democracy? Is extensive economic freedom essential to democracy? Can the unequal economic outcomes of capitalism be considered “undemocratic”?
In his 1651 Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes observed that without government, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Justify his argument. With this justification, justify the existence of government as it presently operates in the United States today.
What demographic and socioeconomic factors do you think are related to democracy? Wealth? Education? A homogeneous population? Can you find countries that don’t meet your expectations?
Does democracy require equality of income and wealth? Does majority rule undermine freedom and threaten individual rights? What was James Madison's view, and what is your reaction?
1.3 Describe American political culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy
1
Discuss the theories of elitism and pluralism as explanations of how American government works.
Harold Lasswell’s book, Politics: Who Gets What, When, and How, can be seen as associated with the often-made statement “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” How do the two different statements relate to each other, as well as to present-day political realities?
Americans often possess a healthy cynicism of government,